48th AEG takes critical step to validate NATO FOB

by Airman 1st Class Dana J. Butler
48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

4/25/2014 - SIAULIAI AIR BASE, Lithuania  -- Airmen from the 48th Air Expeditionary Group recently took a trip to Amari Air Base, Estonia, to engage and certify the aircraft arresting system, taking a critical step toward validating the new NATO Forward Operating Base.

Barrier maintenance Airmen from the 435th Construction and Training Squadron at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, deployed to the 48th Air Expeditionary Group at Siauliai Air Base, Lithuania, travelled to Estonia for the third time to certify the aircraft arresting systems and work alongside fellow Estonian air force counterparts.

"I've worked with the Estonians before when we went up there in February and March in order to get the barrier systems up to U.S. standards, so we exchanged technical orders and brought them up to our standards," said Staff Sgt. Josh Nicholson, 48th AEG aircraft arresting systems craftsman. "We worked very well together, they are very knowledgeable."

Two F-15C Eagles, originally from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, U.K., helped conduct the certification.

Fighters staged at each end of the runway took turns engaging the barrier by taxiing at about 130 miles per hour with their tail hook lowered so as to hook onto the cable, which gradually slowed the aircraft to a safe, complete stop, much like what occurs on an aircraft carrier.

Once the aircraft was no longer moving, emergency crews, already standing by, rushed in to tend to the pilot and shut down the plane's engines before setting up for the next engagement.

According to Nicholson, the Air Force requires barrier engagement tests every 12 months if not engaged by a plane in a one-year time span.

"The initial certification of the aircraft arresting system involves taking an active aircraft and approaching the cable at a designated speed based on the weight of the aircraft; it engages the cable, which will stop the aircraft in around 1,000 feet," said Nicholson.

According to 2nd Lt. Bryan Butler, 48th AEG maintenance officer in charge, these newly certified cables greatly enhance the interoperability between allied partners.

"Making sure these cables are certified gives us another airfield to operate out of for joint exercises and other potential NATO operations," said Butler.